ARS | Publication request: PACKING PRACTICE EFFECTS ON DENSITY IN BUNKER SILOS

Submitted to: ASAE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 2004
Publication Date: August 1, 2004
Citation: Muck, R.E., Holmes, B., Savoie, P. 2004. Packing practice effects on density in bunker silos. ASAE Annual International Meeting. Paper No. 041137.

Technical Abstract: The objective was to compare different packing practices on density in field-scale bunker silos. In May 2003, a bunker silo (37.8 x 10 x 3.5 m) was filled with alfalfa. At filling, loads (2.6 t dry matter each) were placed on alternating sides of the open end of the silo. One tractor (6.6 t, single-wheeled) was used to spread and pack all loads. The tractor spent a similar time spreading each load (7 min) on both sides, but packing time on one side (8.3 min) was approximately twice that of the other (4.5 min). Average densities on both sides based on volume were similar, but core samples taken at the face during feedout indicated similar densities near the floor but reduced densities in the upper half of the side receiving less packing time. In September 2003, two bunker silos (21.3 x 5 x 3.5 m) were filled simultaneously with whole-plant corn. The same 6.6 t, single-wheeled tractor was used to spread loads in each silo. This tractor also packed one silo, but a 9.7 t, single-wheeled tractor was used in the other. Packing times were similar for both silos. Density was increased 27 kg DM/m^3 when using the heavier tractor.